Loaded Union County bus overturns; 25 hurt

Updated 11:03 a.m. Sunday: All but one out of hospital.

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KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET PHOTO

Traffic backs up along U.S. 60 in Livingston County near the scene
of an overturned Union County bus loaded with a girls' softball
team headed for a game  at Livingston Central. Numerous injuries
were reported.

A Union County school bus loaded with a girls' softball team overturned at 4:42p.m. on U.S. 60 in Livingston County approximately three miles east of Smithland at the intersection with Smithland Dam Road. More than two dozen were injured, but as of mid-day Sunday, only one victim remained hospitalized.

According to a Kentucky State Police post-accident news conference, all occupants--21 students and four adults--were injured and were transported to area hospitals--Lourdes and Baptist Health hospitals in Paducah--by at least five area EMS organizations. One patient was transported by PHI Air Medical. No injuries appeared to be life-threatening, according to the spokesperson.

Crittenden EMS was also requested to help with transporting patients, but was not indicated to have been utilized.

The bus was westbound on U.S. 60 en route to a Livingston Central softball field in Smithland when for an unknown reason it ran off the right shoulder at "Rock Curve" between Silver Mine Road and Smithland Dam Road. Authorities report the driver appeared to have overcorrected, causing the bus to spin around 180 degrees before overturning onto its passenger side, where the entry doors are located. It landed 10 to 15 feet off the roadway.

The driver, Robin Black, 49, of Sturgis, was transported to Lourdes where she was treated and released.

Jeremy Tackett, athletic director for the Union County School District, told the Henderson Gleaner Saturday morning that only one player remained hospitalized. “She had surgery on a broken femur and should be released Monday,” he said. Authorities said there were 28 people on the bus, four of whom were adults.

A few students had to be extricated by mechanical means--the jaws of life, according to a spokesman.

No names of the victims have been released, not even those of the adults as of this time.

The road was closed until around 9:15 p.m.

KSP Post 1 personnel were assisted at the scene by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Smithland and Burna Fire Departments, Livingston County EMS, Mercy Regional EMS, Crittenden County EMS, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, PHI Air Medical, Livingston County Emergency Management and the county rescue squad.

The investigation continues by Senior Trooper Eric Fields.